Aspiring Desginer's Challenge

Hello all!
I'm excited to be participating in the Swhetty Betties' Aspiring Designer Challenge this week.
Please check out the posts at Pattern Revolution and the Betties' Blog.

I'm also excited to not only be launching the Trumpet Flower Dress today, but also my new website!  Stop by and check both out as well as my other patterns.

The Trumpet Flower dress pattern for girls 2-6 will be on sale for $4.00 US through Memorial Day, Monday May 25.

I'll leave you with lots of pictures.

Photos by Pawinee Dodson

Photos by Jen Balliff

Photo by Laura Manning

 Photos by Linda Lehn and Phoebe Garrett

 Photos by Alyssa Carrion

Busy, Busy, Busy...

I'll bet you were wondering where I have been.  I apologize for the lack of posts as of late.  I have been working on a new pattern that is due to be released soon.  I've been ironing out fit issues and redrafting and redrafting... but... here's a little sneak peek.  We are still working on a fit issue in the neck... but I'm loving this skirt!

I give you "The Trumpet Flower Dress".

The dress is inspired by one of my childhood memories.  I remember playing with trumpet flowers in my cousin's back yard in Alabama one summer.  Turning them upside down and pretending that they were ballerinas.  I wanted to create a skirt that was reminiscent of that.  This pattern is due to be released before the end of the month.  More on that later.

I've also been working on a new website.  I have a bit more work to do there before it is ready to go, but it is inching along.  Once it is up and running I will be closing my Big Cartel shop.  I just won't need both and the new site will be more full featured.

I'd love to know what has been keeping you busy!
Until next time, Happy Sewing!

How To Tie the Perfect Sash Bow

Have you ever worked hard on a dress for your little princess only to struggle with the sash bow in the back?  Does it ALWAYS turn sideways no matter what you do?  Well struggle no more.... Here's how to do it.

While working at the department store that I worked in 20+ years ago in Illinois, I often had to re-tie sashes on dresses that came untied for whatever reason.  I learned that tying a sash bow is a little different than tying your shoes.  At first it felt all backward and upside down, but I soon got the hang of it.


1.  Place the right hand side of the tie over the left.

2.  Take it under the left hand side and back over the top again.

3. With the left hand side, make a loop with the end of the sash toward you and the loop bent back toward the left side.

4.  Place the right hand side over the loop.

5.  Pull a loop of the right hand side up behind the left hand loop.

6. Tighten it up and there you have it.

Pretty simple really.